Editor’s Note: Today’s guest blog post is from Michael White who works in the External Relations Branch at Parks Canada and leads the Agency’s collaboration with Google Maps.One the best things about working at Parks Canada is the opportunity to share our fantastic national parks and national historic sites with Canadians and people around the world. And that’s what makes the collaboration between Parks Canada and Google Maps so exciting. Today, we’re inviting you to explore Canada’s cultural and natural heritage through the unique panoramic lens of Google Street View. From the dramatic mountain ranges of Banff National Park to the fortifications of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, it’s now possible to enjoy a virtual visit to some of Canada’s most iconic places.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2013, the Google Maps team traveled to over 70 Parks Canada locations across the country. Using Street View cars and the newly introduced Trekker backpack, the Google team was able to drive the roads and hike the trails that take you deep into Canada’s majestic national parks. Plus, they were able to go inside the rooms and corridors of many national historic sites.

The first place the Google Maps team visited was the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Nova Scotia. The fortress marks the 300th anniversary of its founding this year, and we’re thrilled to celebrate its birthday by opening up its historic gates and letting the world virtually explore this compelling place through Street View and Google Maps. Walk up and down the village streets, hike along trails inside and outside of the fortress walls and check out the huge battlements.

The Google Trekker collects imagery of the historic Fortress of Louisbourg

Explore Canada’s National Parks and Historic SitesFrom planning a summer vacation to augmenting classroom lesson plans, the partnership between Parks Canada and Google will better connect Canadians to the amazing places and geography that defines this country. To take a Street View tour of a Parks Canada location, simply drag the “Pegman” over the map to reveal the blue-coloured Street View trajectories now ready for you to explore.

A Street View stroll through in L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site

Next year Google and Parks Canada will continue to work together to document additional national heritage places across Canada. In the meantime, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Canada’s national parks and national historic sites now ready for you to explore and enjoy on Google Maps.